New Massport boss optimistic about JetBlue and Worcester

Massport CEO Thomas Glynn, in Worcester today, said, "JetBlue is very interested in working with you and working with us."

JetBlue Airways may start offering daily flights from Worcester to two Florida destinations by 2014, Massport officials told business and civic leaders today.

Aviation Director Edward C. Freni said the airline is considering two flights a day, seven days a week, starting with the vacation hotspots of Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. The planes would seat about 100 passengers, and fare prices would be comparable to or lower than similar flights out of Logan International Airport in Boston.

Thomas P. Glynn, who became chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority in November, said JetBlue's continued interest in Worcester is cause for optimism, but he stopped short of confirming the airline would definitely launch service here. The decision is ultimately up to the airline, he said.

“JetBlue is very interested in working with you and working with us,” Mr. Glynn said at a breakfast meeting at the DCU Center.

Asked about JetBlue's plans for Worcester, spokeswoman Tamara Young said in a statement: “Worcester is JetBlue's kind of town — but we won't even be in a position to consider service until 2014.”

Worcester Regional Airport has been devoid of passenger service since the financial collapse of charter service Direct Air last March. Direct Air's fall angered public officials and customers, leaving many stranded with worthless tickets.

Also last year, JetBlue CEO Dave Barger signaled his interest in Worcester last year and visited the city amid much fanfare in August. Senior executives from the New York-based airline are scheduled to visit the city again Jan. 23.

“We normally conduct this portion of new market considerations under the radar,” Ms. Young said, “but the process with Worcester has been highly transparent.”

Massport officials said they're also talking to other airlines — but didn't name names — and have started work on a $30 million Category 3 landing system to make the airport more attractive. The project could take three to six years.

JetBlue's decision to come to Worcester does not hinge on the installation of the new landing system, Mr. Glynn said.

Since buying the hilltop airport from the city in 2010, Massport has spent $9 million on upgrades and plans to spend $9 million more, he said. Massport does not receive state tax dollars, relying instead on fees and other sources of revenue.

Worcester Regional Airport is expected to run a $4.8 million deficit this fiscal year, $1 million more than the deficit recorded last year. Massport's operating budget for fiscal 2013 is $380.4 million, according to massport.com.

It spends about $5 million to operate the Worcester facility. Rectrix Aviation Inc. of Bedford, the airport's fixed-base operator, serves the general aviation market in Worcester.

Despite recent failures to sustain passenger service in Worcester, state officials have said the Central Massachusetts airport will be an important assetin the future as Logan Airport reaches capacity. Passenger traffic at Logan reached an all-time high of 29 million last year.

U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, called the Worcester airport a gem, and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray said a viable airport in Worcester would strengthen not only the city, but also the state.

“We're not building airports anymore, anywhere in the country,” Mr. Freni, of Massport, said in an interview with the T&G. “To let Worcester go would be crazy.”

He said Massport is focusing on major airlines — not charter services like Direct Air — as it works to rebuild traveler confidence in the Worcester airport.

Mr. Glynn, in an interview, defended Massport's past decision to prop up Direct Air with more than $1 million in subsidies when the company was not on firm financial footing. He said he would have supported the subsidies if he had been working at Massport at the time, and noted that the company was successful at least in producing healthy passenger traffic out of Worcester.

“You have to take some risks,” he said.

Mr. Glynn was picked for the top job at Massport, replacing interim chief David S. Mackey, after a lengthy search that included interviews with more than 40 candidates. His career spans the public and private sectors. A former MBTA general manager for Gov. Michael S. Dukakis and deputy U.S.

Labor secretary for President Bill Clinton, Mr. Glynn most recently served as chief operating officer of Partners HealthCare in Boston.

At Massport, he is receiving a salary of $250,000 and oversees 1,100 employees.